Which Company is Right for you?

This page summarizes everything you need to know or ask with whomever you elect to work with in real estate. These are the critical areas that every person needs to know and evaluate up-front prior to any commitments!!!

COMMISSIONS

Surprisingly, agent commission only ranks 3-4 in the national surveys on whats most important to an agent. BUT...you need to know what you're getting going in. Majority of companies still pay the traditional 50% (of what you bring in) saying you come out better because they cover most all expenses. Others may say 70% but you pick up sizable monthly expenses. At Coldwell Banker Group One, our lowest commission is 60% and goes to 100%. We sincerely feel our average agent commission is among the highest, if not the highest, in our market and throughout the U.S. for any company that provides services and support. We tell you up front.

EXPENSES

Many companies have started transferring company expenses to the agent. These could include advertising, desk fees, fees to input your listings, training/mentor fees, copies, fees to set appointments, and on and on. It's simply another way to make money for the company. There's nothing wrong with paying monthly fees, but you need to know exactly what you're required to pay up-front and then you decide if that's the best model and company for you. Other than the required $37 MLS fees that all agents pay to the local Board, we have only $30 (includes benevolence flowers, News-Star participation, Handyman Services, social media promotions, and much much more!). No desk fees, no admin fees, no showing appt fees, no training/mentor fees, nothing. We like free!!

SUPPORT

One of the top items on national surveys is what support will an agent get when they join your company. Many talk the talk but don't walk the walk. A good start is asking how many fulltime staff are available to support you, free of charge, that are not licensed Realtors and gone most of the day. Are there people you can talk to at any time of day, night, weekend, when you need help or have a question. In many cases, you are lucky to have one receptionist and a Broker that you can reach from time to time. At CBGOR, we have 11 staff that are here daily to support you in every step, to answer any question at any time, or to sit down and visit on any issue. And, these are the VERY BEST in the business! Many staff have been here for 10+years and our management is unparalleled in their knowledge, success, reputation, and most importantly...availability.

TECHNOLOGY

Most have good technology. All franchises have access to national support that should be among the best in the business. However, many companies are required to charge you for websites, etc. because they have to pay for it. Or, you have to go to national vendors and pay for websites or platforms. At CBGOR...we have the best of the best. We are the recipients of a $167 million purchase of technology we call ZAP. It is unparalleled in the business and very few companies in North Louisiana have it. Bottom line is every agent in our company gets their own personal private website, fully integrated, customer relations management, lead generation, etc. etc. and...ITS ALL FREE!!!!!

'CAP'

Very few companies entice agents with what we call a CAP. This means once an agent pays x dollars into the company they CAP or receive 100% commissions for the balance of that year. We call these CAP companies. CAP companies traditionally offer a little higher commission (sometimes 70%) but are almost always identified with very high monthly expenses to the agent. Agents are cheered to reach the CAP and receive 100% commissions to justify the associated expenses. Unfortunately, it is our opinion that 80-90% of agents in these companies never reach the CAP and therefore start...and end...each year at the same commission while paying sizable monthly expenses and receiving little support or services. AT CBGOR WE ARE ONE OF THE VERY FEW COMPANIES IN THE U.S. THAT OFFER HIGH COMMISSIONS, LOW OVERHEAD, HIGH SUPPORT....AND CAP. YES, WE OFFER IT ALL PLUS THE CAP!

TRAINING

Good companies provide for and pay for...in-house training. Anyone can send you to a local or national trainer who will charge you hundreds of dollars. If a company is willing to invest in you, then they will have a dedicated in-house program to support you. An easy way to know is simply ask how many employees/staff they have that do not sell real estate for a living. Most importantly, every agent needs a personal mentor. Unfortunately, most companies either don't provide one or make you pay for the mentor out of your part of the commissions. Make sure there is a structured training program, without charge, and with a dedicated in-house support person. At Coldwell Banker, we have one of the top in-house training programs and options in the country. Not only do we work with you one on one, we do it in-house, it's all free....and no charges or mentor fees. We're in this together.

TEAMS

Real Estate "Teams" are a growing part of our Industry. Th advantage of being on a team is the support services, one-on-one training, and most importantly.....leads that are given to you. Being on a team can help you get started with immediate business. The other side of a team however, is many team members make tremendously less money and commissions than had they entered real estate on their own. As opposed to getting traditional 50%-65% starting commissions, many team members receive as little as 10-20% on a transaction.....even if they produce the client themselves. This can be thousands less in your pocket for a single transaction. At Coldwell Banker Group One, we embrace teams but find, under our structure, that most agents can make much more money on their own. Our staff operates almost as personal assistants, our trainers walk you through every step in any transaction, and our business development manager can give you leads at a tremendously better rate....for those agents that want them.

SIGN-ON BENEFITS

Some companies are gracious enough to do a few things to help you get started. After all...we're in this together. At CBGOR...we give every incoming agent their first set of business cards, a name badge, free initial advertising promoting you in newspaper, websites, Darryl's radio show, and various other things including a $100 school rebate once the agent completes our two in-house classes.

SUMMARY

Most companies are identified as either traditional (low commissions, low expenses, high support) or somewhat of a CAP company promoting higher commissions, high expenses...but the CAP. CBGOR HAS SEPARATED ITSELF THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AS BEING ONE OF THE VERY FEW THAT OFFER HIGH COMMISSIONS, LOW OVERHEAD....HIGH SUPPORT...AND...A CAP. We want it all...we want agents working here because it's simply the best place to work to make a living, support your family, and have a professional, ethical, and enjoyable work environment.

“I AM PERSONALLY AVAILABLE TO MEET AND DISCUSS PROS & CONS OF A REAL ESTATE CAREER, AND THEN LEAVE YOU ALONE TO MAKE THE DECISION BEST FOR YOU. CALL OR TEXT MY CELL ANY TIME: 318-376-7545” - Darryl Beasley

Coldwell Banker Group One Realty • 2120 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291 • 318-362-0007 • Each office is independently owned and operated • Licensed in Louisiana and Arkansas